Re: [Special Guest] Supporting Survivors Part 2: Life Long Term

Our next question....

One tough part of the experience of surviving assault is dealing with the day-to-day triggers that can come afterwards. What are some healthy ways we can cope with those triggers and hopefully reduce their impact in the long run?

Re: [Special Guest] Supporting Survivors Part 2: Life Long Term

Kim and I are senior doctors at SARC. We have been working here for more than 10 years each. We see any patient who says they have been sexually assaulted in the last two weeks. We can do tests for STI's, give drugs to prevent pregnancy (morning after pill or emergency contraception) plus anti-biotics to prevent sexually transmitted infections. If the police are involved or if the person might want to involve the police later, we also do examinations to look for injuries and collect forensic specimens (swabs mainly) to look for the assailant's DNA. This is up to the patient to decide. It is the patient's choice at all times and the patient can say stop at any time.

Jacinta and Caroline are both Clinical Psychologists who have been at SARC for many years. They see patients together with the doctors plus they see patients for therapy as well.

We are all being helped by Karin who is an accredited mental health social worker who has worked at SARC for 14 years now.